And that is making it hard for his co-defendant to face trial with him.

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Merlino, aka Skinny Joey, was among 46 alleged wiseguys hit with racketeering charges in August 2016.

The Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office has claimed those charged — who allegedly hail from the Genovese, Gambino, Luchese, Bonanno and Philadelphia crime families — cooperated in a conspiracy ranging from South Florida to Springfield, Mass.

One co-defendant, Eugene (Rooster) Onofrio, wants to be tried separately from Merlino.

Onofrio, an alleged Genovese capo who runs crews on Little Italy's Mulberry St. and in Springfield, Mass., fears Merlino's alleged misconduct could prejudice the jury against him at trial, according to court papers.

The feds argued in papers filed Monday that taped conversations prove the men were close. Because Merlino, 55, and Onofrio, 75, discussed "violence in connection with their illegal activities," they should be tried together, prosecutors said.

Merlino further explained, "You're my friend, you trust me, I tell you, 'Listen drive me home right now,' get you in the car, I shoot you in the f----n' head, and it's over with," prosecutors also said of the recording.

The men also told Genovese capos "We're brothers" during a meeting, the feds said.

Merlino does not face a murder rap in his current case. While he has twice been convicted on federal charges, he has beat three murder counts and two attempted murder counts in previous cases.

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Onofrio's lawyer declined to comment, as did a Merlino lawyer.

Merlino and Onofrio are among six people charged in the recent indictment who have pleaded not guilty. The other 40 have already copped to counts relating to the alleged scheme, court papers state.